Happy with a split

It’s not too often coaches from opposing teams come away from a swim

meet satisfied -- especially when the schools are rivals like Burbank

and Burroughs highs.

But there was plenty for the coaches to be optimistic about

Wednesday in a cross-town Foothill League meet at Burroughs High.

Burbank won the boys’ portion, 87-82, and Burroughs captured the

girls’ competition, 91-77.

“We were 2-3 last year, so it’s been a major turnaround,” Burbank

boys’ Coach Adam Wright said of his team, which is 3-1-1 in league

dual meets. “We’ve got a lot of young people. We have only one senior

and three juniors.”

The Bulldogs were paced by junior Eric Davis, who won both the

200- and 100-yard freestyle races. Davis was first in the 200 in 1

minute 54.4 seconds and there was no time available for his 100

result.

Wright said he expects Davis to get a CIF Southern Section

qualifying time in both events next week in the league finals.

Davis was also teamed up with Soo Ha Park, Miko Lave and Mike

Nelson to win the 200 freestyle relay in 1:34.8.

Although Burroughs won seven of the 11 events, Burbank showed its

depth in the victory.

“The boys swam well,” Burroughs Coach Dave Cohen said. “Everyone

was hauling and we [swam personal records] in a lot of places. You

have to give [Burbank] credit because they out-touched us in a couple

of events.”

Burroughs (2-3) got two wins from Matt Alberti in the 200

individual medley (2:08.6) and the 100 backstroke (1:00.21).

Ian Ortega was another double-winner for the Indians, as he

captured the 50 freestyle (24.49) and the 100 butterfly (1:00.5).

“I’ve got a lot of kids that are on the junior varsity that would

have been on varsity last year,” Wright said. “This is a great

facility to swim at every day. That alone has transformed this

team.”

Burbank practices and competes in meets at Burroughs, as it waits

for the construction of its new pool, which should be completed

within the next year or two.

Burroughs (2-3) won eight of 11 events in the girls’ portion, with

Caitlin Howison leading the way. Howison won the 200 freestyle

(2:09.42) and the 500 freestyle (5:50.39).

“Our girls are really talented,” Cohen said. “I don’t have a

single senior on my team this year.”

Audrey Arcasu was first in the 200 individual medley (2:32.16) and

the 100 butterfly (1:08.2) for Burroughs.

Burbank (1-4) had some good marks in the 100 freestyle, as Nune

Aleksanyan (1:02.5) and Jennifer Austin (1:02.67) finished first and

second.

Stacy Hishinuma was another Bulldog winner, as she was first in

the 100 breaststroke in 1:17.62.

“The meet was not one of our best meets, but both teams swam

hard,” Burbank girls’ Coach Melissa Simmons said.

“It will be interesting to see what happens next week at league

finals.”

The Foothill League prelims will be at 3 p.m. Monday and the final

will be on Thursday at Burroughs.